Stand by me.

It's official…summer is officially over. The sun has set marking an end to summer's last day before the kids return to school. Although I realize the need for the kids to head back to school to dust out the cobwebs from their brain, it's not without a twinge of sadness. Even after the teeth had been brushed, I was looking for a way to make one final grasp for summer's pleasures. In one last hurrah, we headed to Dari Serv to savor the flavors of summer for one last time.  In reality, the year truly begins in September despite what the calendar on the wall may challenge. Armed with new pencils and untattered notebooks, September brings so many new hopes and challenges for our kids. This year, both kids will navigate the triumphs and pitfalls of their middle school years. In new schools, Kate and Peter will find themselves opening their new notebooks to a blank page filled with possibilities. As bedtime approached their general enthusiasm seemed to wane into nervousness. Their ice cream high was gone and they both wore their game face. They seemed uneasy with the thought of whats ahead. I remember the feeling well as I sat on the starting line of waiting for the gun to go off during rowing races. Questions saturate your head. Am I ready for this? Am I doomed to failure? Will I be able to reach my locker? Armed with enthusiasm, I went into their bedrooms to say goodnight and assure them that they would find their way. I would suggest to be sure not to leave the bathroom with toilet paper stuck to your foot or walk into an 8th grade classroom looking for seventh grade history. For Kate, as the bus rattled up the road, what only mattered was one's hair in the rainy weather. A constant readjustment would ensure that the well crafted outfit would stay in tack. 7th grade was only minutes away and she had waited for this for quite some time now. She and her high school friend Abby would enter this world together today. As she climbed aboard the bus full of high schoolers, I couldn't help but recall her first day of kindergarten when the kids could barely see over the windows. This different scenario would make my throat tighten feeling nostalgic. Peter's story would be all together different. I was happy that he remembered to brush his teeth on this important day. He would jump from puddle to puddle ensuring he was just dirty enough for his first day of middle school life. His potential would now be in hands of his capable teacher. I felt excited for him and for all the others who were having a fresh start in the new school. With the good bye, the quiet feeling would be replaced quickly with the many ideas and goals for myself for this school year. Even we grown-ups start fresh in September. But for now, my ceremonial hot chocolate must first be consumed. Everything else will just happen....

For the kids can expect a conversation like this today: